Electric switch



Jan. 19, 1937. J. G. PETEFRSON ELECTRIC SWITCH Original Filed Jan. ,10,1933 R Y O S E T R R o E N T l N/ A M Y H B 5 m 2 W 5 A. 0 m, 5 m Q 1 IF n w W 2 W 4 M A .2 M 0 R-\+|O .5 1 3 w 1 Y? F Patented Jan. 19, 1937PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC SWITCH Johann G. Peterson, West Hartford, Conn.

Application January 10, 1933, Serial No. 651,003 Renewed February 24,1936 27 *Claims. (Cl. 200- 70) My invention relates to electricswitches.

It has for its object to provide an improved electric switch, and, moreparticularly, an improved switch unit of the single lever type adaptedto make or break a plurality of circuits as said lever is moved ineither direction. A further object of my invention is to provide animproved switch of the type in question, which is of an improvedconstruction adapting the same to handle current beyond the capacity .ofmy prior switches of that type, .and which accordingly enables thepossible field of use of such switches to be materially extended. Astill further object of my invention is to provide such a switch havingimproved indexing, contact, and contact actuating mechanism operativelyconnected and actuated in an improved manner by the switch actuatingmember through improved means, all in such manner as to produce a switchof the type mentioned, which, while adapted to handle more current, isentirely safe in operation and also adapted to be inexpensivelymanufactured. These and other objects and advantages of my improvedconstruction will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawing, I have shown for purposes of illustrationone embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

In the drawing,-

Figure 1 is a side elevation of this form of my improved switch unit,the front connecting member of the unit being broken away .and the upperand lower plates being partially in section, to facilitate illustration;

Fig, 2 is a top plan view of the unit with the actuating member shown infull or dotted lines in its various positions;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view after removal of the upper insulating plateshown in Fig. 2-, the frame 'plate underlying the same also being shownin dotted lines to expose the contact carrying member;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view after removal of the contact member shown inFig. 3 to expose the the actuating and indexing member;

. outer extremities.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail plan view of the same;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail sectional view on line 9-9 of Figure 4, and

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail sectional view on line III-III of Figure9.

The switch shown in this illustrative construction includes top andbottom insulating plates I and 2, of which plate I carries externaltermi- I nal plates 3 and 4 while plate 2 carries on its exterior aterminal plate 5 and a through connection or plate 6, all of theseplates being equipped with usual binding screws at their be noted thatthe plates I and 2 are connected in such manner as to form a unit byspacing and connecting U-shaped members I having reduced fingers 8 ontheir opposite ends extending through said plates and bent over on theoutside of each plate. Further, it will be noted that a switch mechanismof an improved construction hereinafter described, is disposed betweenthese plates and has an actuating member 9 movable about a stationarystud III, suitably seated in the plates as said member assumes itsvarious positions indicated in full and dotted lines in Figure 2.

Considering the switch mechanism more in detail, it will be noted thatthe same is disposed in a metal frame inside the insulating members Iand .2 and also held in place by the spacing and connecting members I.Herein this frame includes top and bottom metal plates II and I2, whichare provided with suitable apertures I3 at their ends, adapted toreceive the fingers 8 on the members I so that when the plates aredisposed on the body portions of the members 1 inside the insulatingplates I and 2, a rigid frame is formed when the fingers 8 are bent overon the members I and 2, as shown in Figure 2. As illustrated herein, thestud I 0, on which the actuating member 9 is pivoted, extends verticallythrough both of the plates II and I2 and also the plates I and 2, whilethe switch mechanism is disposed between the plates II and I2 andoperated as the actuating lever 9 moves about this stud I 0. It willalso be noted that one of these plates, herein the plate I2, is a .plainplate, while the plate II, which co-oper- As shown herein, it will alsoalso directed to the fact that the lugs l4 are each provided withvertical sides II, as illustrated in Figure 10.

Co-operating with these lugs I4 is improved unitary indexing mechanismactuated by the actuating member 9. Herein this mechanism includes amovable indexing member l6, provided with slotted portions or spacedlugs on opposite sides of its bottom and each providing between the samea slot adapted to receive one of the lugs l4 in the diflerent positionsof the indexing member around the stud l6. Herein, it will also be notedthat these lugs are formed by bending up extensions Ill, hereafterdescribed, on opposite sides of the member l6. Further, it will be notedthat the member I6 is provided herein at right angles to a line passingbetween the pairs of lugs II, with an upwardly bent and laterallyextending portion I! having spaced lugs thereon. Attention is alsoparticularly directed to the fact that the member I6 is rotatably andvertically movable on the lower end of a sleeve member 2| which is, inturn, rotatable about the stationary stud Herein, the inner end 22 ofthe actuating member 9 is rotatable on the stud and fixed on the upperend oi this sleeve 2|, herein on a reduced portion thereon, and a coiledspring 23 is disposed around the sleeve between the end 22 and the bodyof the member l6 in such manner as normally to hold the lugs downagainst the plate II with the lugs 01 each pair on opposite sides ofselected lugs l4. Further, it will be noted that the end 22 of theactuating member is provided on each side of its axis with flattenedV-shaped upper cam surfaces 24, and that these are engaged by laterallyextending co-operating portions 25 on the upper ends of the portions I6.Attention is also directed to the fact that the actuating member isprovided with an upwardly extending lug, herein in the form of astruck-up lug 26 extending upward therefrom adjacent the sleeve andbetween the same and the free end of the actuating member. Thus it willbe evident that when the actuating member 9 is moved to move its cams24, the lugs I! will be lifted up to release their lugs l4 and compressthe spring 23, while when the member I6 is moved angularly, the lugs l1will move down again into engagement with other lugs l4.

Co-operating with the mechanism just described, is also improved contactmechanism and actuating mechanism therefor. Herein, this contactmechanism is in the form 0! a commutator unit shown in Figures 5 and 6and adapted to be received upon the end of the stud |ll projectingthrough the sleeve 2|. As shown, it comprises two contact carryingmembers 30 and 3|, of which the upper member 30 is in the form of a ringand provided with oppositely disposed raised spring contacts 32 and 33,while the member 3| corresponds to and underlies one-half of the member30 while being provided with a single depending spring contact member34. Herein, these members 30, 3| are spaced apart, with their bodies indifierent horizontal planes and both are riveted together, as byconducting rivets 35 also passing through the ends of an intermediateplate 36 forming a journal therefor. In this construction, the rivets35, while electrically connecting the members 3|) and 3|, are suitablyinsulated from the plate 36, as, for example, by insulating washers 38disposed between the members 30 and 3| and the opposite sides of theplate 36, and by also providing enlarged apertures 39 in the ends of theplate 36 so that the rivets will not contact with the latter plate.Attention is also directed to the fact that the plate 36 is providedwith an upwardly projecting axial sleeve portion 40 fixed thereon andadapted to receive the stud l0 and thus dispose the contact unit forrotation about the stud. As shown, a

spring 4| is also coiled about this upwardly pro- ,iecting sleeve andhas one end 42 disposed on one side of an upstanding lug 43 on themember 36 adjacent the sleeve 40, and another end 44 engaging theopposite side of this lug, while the ends 42 and 44 of the spring alsoproject on opposite sides of the lug 26 on the actuating member 9.Attention is also directed to the fact that a depending lug 45 isprovided on the opposite side of the plate 36 from the upstanding lug43, and that this depending lug passes between the lugs 20 on the memberl6. Thus it will be evident that when the actuating member 9 is movedabout the stud l0, and as it is releasing the index mechanism heretoforedescribed, the spring 4| will be tensioned in such manner that, when theindexing mechanism is released, it will cause the contact unit to beswung with a snap action about the stud l0 into a different position.Further, it will be evident that this position will be automaticallydetermined by the indexing mechanism, the spring of which, as soon asthe lugs are above the spaces on opposite sides of the next lugs I4,will automatically cause these lugs H to be pressed down into this newposition until they again engage the plate I I.

Co-operating with the improved contact unit heretofore described, arestationary contacts carried on the insulating plates I and 2. Herein itwill be noted that the terminal plate 3 is connected to the insulatingplate I by rivets 46 and 41 which extend through the plate I and form onthe inner face thereof, contacts engageable with the movable contact 32of the contact member 30, while the terminal plate 4 is connectedthereto by similar rivets 4B, 49 and 5|] which form similar contacts forthe oppositely disposed movable contact 33 of the same contact member30. Further, it will be noted that the terminal 5 on the insulatingplate 2 is attached to the latter by similar rivets 5| and 52 which aresimilarly engageable by the contact 34 on the movable contact member 3|.Accordingly, while no current will flow when the parts are in theposition illustrated in full lines in Figure 2, when the actuatingmember 9 is moved from this full line position down into the next lowerdotted line position, the movable contact 33 will engage the stationarycontact 46, while the movable contact 34 will engage the stationarycontact 52. Similarly, when the member 9 is moved further down, i. e.into the second dotted line position shown in Figure 2, the movablecontact 33 will engage the movable contact 49, while the movable contact32 will then engage the stationary contact 46. Also, when the actuatingmember is moved still further down, i. e. to the bottom dotted lineposition shown in Figure 2, the movable contact 33 will engage thestationary contact 50, while the movable contacts 32 and 34 willrespectively engage the stationary contacts 41 and 5|. Thus it will beevident that with the binding posts on the members 3, 4, 5 and 6connected in a usual manner to the line and a device to be controlled,as, for example, a vacuum cleaner motor, it is possible to obtain an ofiposition, as shown in the full line position of the meml tion of thecontact member unit wherein the ber 9 in Figure 2, a low speed positionin the next lower dotted line position of the actuating member, a mediumspeed position in the sec- 'ond lower dotted line position of theactuating member, and a high speed position in the bottom dotted lineposition of the actuating member, with the actuating member movingprogressively step by step in the same direction from off to high speedposition, and, of

course, also reversely operable.

In the operation of the structure as a whole, it will be evident thatwhen the actuating member 9 is moved as described above from itsinoperative or full line position in Figure 2, the indexing member IEwill first be actuated to cause its lugs I! to release the lugs l4, thisdue to the action of the cams 24 upon the portions -25 carried on themember l6. Further, it will be evident that the lugs I1 will be raisedin such manner as to release the lugs l4, as heretofore described, asthe members 25 move up opposite halves of the earns 24, and be againforced down astride the next pair of lugs l4 when the member H has beenmoved angularly about the stud, v

the members 25 then moving reversely down the same portions of the cams.Further, it will be evident that an angular movement will immediatelyfollow the release of the first pair of lugs l4, due to the action ofthe spring 4| and the interconnection of this spring 4| with theactuating member 9 through the lug 26 and the interconnection betweenthe actuating member 9 and the indexing member l5 through thecooperating cam means 24. It will also be evident that, through the samespring 4|, the movable contact unit comprising the members 30 and 3|will also be swung due to the action of the spring 4| on the lug 43 onthis member and the interengagement of the lugs 45 on this member withthe lugs 20 on the member Hi. Also, of course, the spring 23 will againseat the lugs IT in a new indexing position as soon as the lugs I'I havebeen rotated into this new position, the spring 23 being tensioned bythe raising movement of the members l6" which is required to release thesame and accordingly acting automatically upon the latter member as soonas it reaches a new indexing position. Thus it will be evident that thevarious circuits will be made and broken successively with a snap actionas the actuating member 9 moves from one position to another. Further,it will, of course, be evident that a like operation will occur when themember 9 is moved reversely, the only important difference in operationbeing that the member 25 will then move up the other halves of the earns24 to releasing position, and down those halves upon release.

Asa result of my improved construction, it will be noted that arcing isminimized in such manner as to adapt the switch to uses requiringsubstantial current capacity with safeti and while continuing to utilizethe general structure of my prior patents. Attention is further directedto the fact. that I have improved the structure of the indexingmechanism and provided improved cam type actuating mechanism thereforactuated by an improved cam on the actuating member of the switch, whilealso making it possible to utilize a stationary stud. Attention is alsodirected to the improved construccontact members, although electricallyconnected to each other, are insulated from the rest of the unit. Itwill also be noted that the inner frame including the members H, l2 andI, is not in circuit and that one of these frame members herein alsoforms a part of the indexing mechanism, although it will, of course, beevident that, if desired, the lugs l4 thereon may be provided on aspring member or disc seated on this member Of course, also, it will beevident that I may, if desired, use only one series of lugs l4 and omitone pair of lugs l1 although I prefer to use the plurality of series ofthe same as shown herein on account of the better balancing of themechanisms. These and other advantages of my improved construction will,however, be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While I have, in this application, specifically described one embodimentwhich my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood thatthis form is shown for illustrative purposes, and that the structure maybe modified and embodied in other forms without departing from itsspirit or the scope of the appended claims:

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an electric switch, stationary and movable contact means, anactuating member, separable indexing means actuated by said actuatingmember and controlling said movable contact means inhibiting movementthereof untilsaid indexing means are disengaged, including a movableindexing member disposed on the opposite side of said actuating memberfrom said movable v contact means, and means operable upon disengagementof said indexing means for actuating said movable contact means with asnap action.

2. In an electric switch, stationary and movable contacts including amovable contact member, an indexing member including stationary indexingmeans and a co-operating indexing member movable vertically out ofengagement with said stationary means and rotatable with said contactmember, a pivoted actuating member disposed between said movable contactand said movable indexing member, means for moving said indexing membervertically to release it from said stationary means upon each actuationof said actuating member disposed between said actuating member andmovable indexing member, and means operable upon release of saidindexing member for actuating said movable contact member with a snapaction.

3. In an electric switch, stationary and movable contacts including amovable contact member, a stationary stud on which the latter is.rotatable, indexing mechanism including stationary indexing means and aco-operating indexing member movable vertically on said stud androtatable with said contact member, an actuating member rotatable aboutsaid stud, means for moving said indexing member vertically to releaseit from said stationary means upon each-actuation of said actuatingmember, and means operable upon release of said indexing member foractuating said movable contact member with a snapaction.

4. In an electric switch, stationary and movable contacts including amovable contact member, a stationary stud on which the latter isrotatable, indexing mechanism including a stationary plate having lugsthereon and a (:0- operating indexing member having co-operating lugsand movable vertically on said stud and rotatable with said contactmember, an actuating member movable about said stud, cam means betweensaid actuating member and indexing member for releasing the latter uponeach actuation of said actuating member, and means operable upon releaseof said indexing member for actuating said movable contact member with asnap action.

5. In an electric switch, stationary and movable contacts including amovable contact member, a stationary stud on which the latter isjournaled, indexing mechanism including stationary indexing means and anindexing member movable vertically on said stud and rotatable with saidcontact member, an actuating member mov able about said studprogressively into a plurality of operative positions longitudinally ofthe switch, means between said actuating member and indexing member forreleasing the latter upon each actuation of said actuating member, andmeans operable upon release of said indexing member for actuating saidmovable contact member with a snap action as said actuating member isprogressively moved into its different operative positions.

6. In an electric switch, stationary and movable contacts including amovable contact member, a stationary stud on which said member isjournaled, indexing mechanism including stationary indexing means and anindexing member movable longitudinally of said stud and rotatable withsaid movable contact member, an actuating member rotatable about saidstud, oppositely inclined cams on said actuating member and movableabout said stud, a cam engaging member on said indexing memberselectively engageable with said cams upon reverse operations of saidactuating member to release said indexing member, spring resetting meansfor said indexing member tensioned upon actuation of said actuatingmember, and spring means likewise tensioned by said actuating member andthrowing said movable contact member with a snap action when saidindexing member is released.

7. In an electric switch, a stud, a movable in dexing member, a sleeveon said stud on which said indexing member is longitudinally androtatably movable, an actuating member rotat able on said stud havingcam means rotatable relative to the latter, co-operating cam means onsaid indexing member, and spring means surrounding said sleeve andacting on said indexing member and tensioned as the latter is actuated.

8. In an electric switch, a stud, a movable indexing member, a sleeve onsaid stud on which said indexing member is longitudinally and rotatablymovable, an actuating member rotatable on said stud having cam meansrotatable relative to the latter, co-operating cam means on saidindexing member, and spring means surrounding said sleeve and acting onsaid indexing member and tensioned as the latter is actuated, said cammeans comprising oppositely inclined cam surfaces selectively engageableby said co-operating cam means as said actuating member is moved inopposite directions.

9. In an electric switch, a stud, a movable indexing member, a sleeve onsaid stud on which said indexing member is longitudinally and rotatablymovable, an actuating member rotatable on said stud having cam meansrotatable relative to the latter including oppositely inclined cams,co-operting cam means on said indexing member selectively actuated bydifferent cams as said actuating member is moved in opposite directions,spring means surrounding said sleeve and acting on said indexing memberand tensioned as the latter is actuated, a stationary indexing memberhaving upstanding lugs thereon, and lugs on said movable indexing memberco-operating with said lugs.

10. In an electric switch, a movable indexing member, a sleeve on whichsaid indexing member is longitudinally and rotatably movable, anactuating member rotatable on said sleeve and carrying cam means,co-operating cam means on said indexing member, and spring meanssurrounding said sleeve between said indexing member and actuatingmember, said indexing member being automatically movable toward and fromthe actuatingmember by said cam means as said actuating member isoperated.

11. In an electric switch, a movable indexing member having indexingmeans thereon, a sleeve on which said indexing member is longitudinallyand rotatably movable, an actuating member rotatable on said sleeve andcarrying cam means, co-operating cam means on said indexing member,spring means surrounding said sleeve between said indexing member andactuating member, said indexing member being automatically movabletoward and from the actuating member by said cam means as said actuatingmember is operated, and a stationary indexing member presenting pivotmeans for said sleeve and cooperating indexing means.

.12. In an electric switch, an actuating member having pivot means atone end thereof and cam means on opposite sides of said pivot means,each comprising a depressed cam portion having oppositely disposedinclined sides and both disposed in arcs around said pivot means.

13. In an electric switch, an indexing member having pivot means thereinand oppositely extending spaced lugs on opposite sides of said pivotmeans, and upstanding fingers between the lugs on each side of the sameand each having an overhanging upper end extending toward said pivotmeans.

14. In an electric switch, a contact unit comprising a plurality ofsuperimposed electrically connected contact members, and means insulatedfrom said members and disposed therebetween carrying axial pivot meanstherefor.

15. In an electric switch, a contact unit comprising a plurality ofsuperimposed electrically connected contact members, one of said memberscarrying a plurality of contacts and the other a single contact and bothof said members presenting an axial aperture through said unit, and acarrying plate for said members and insulated therefrom having pivotingmeans in said aperture. A

16. In-an electric switch, a contact unit comprising a plurality ofsuperimposed electrically connected contact members carrying a pluralityof contacts, both of said members presenting an axial aperture throughsaid unit, and a carrying plate between said members and insulatedtherefrom having pivoting means in said aperture and also havingoppositely projecting lugs in said aperture projecting through differentcontact members.

17. In an electric switch, insulating means carrying terminals, framemeans within said insulating means, and switch mechanism in said framemeans and operable from the exterior of said insulating means havingmovable contact means insulated from said frame means and electricallyconnected to said terminals.

18. In an electric switch, a plurality of spaced external insulatingplates carrying terminals, frame means between said plates, switchmechanism in said frame means and operable from the exterior of saidplates having movable contact means insulated from said frame means andelectrically connected to said terminals, indexing means on said framemeans, and a co-operating movable indexing member engageable with saidmeans and actuated upon each actuation of said switch mechanism torelease the same.

19. In an electric switch, a frame comprising co-operating operativelyconnected spaced plate members one having radially disposed stationaryindexing means, axially located stationary pivot means in said frame, amovable indexing member pivoted on said pivot means and having movableindexing means co-operating with said stationary indexing means, cammeans in said movable 20. In an electric switch, a frame comprisingco-operating operatively connected spaced plate members one havingradially disposed stationary indexing means, axially located stationarypivot means in said frame, a movable indexing member pivoted on saidpivot means and having movable indexing means co-operating with saidstationary indexing means, cam means on said movable indexing member andpivoted on said pivot means and co-operating to disengage said movableindexing means from said stationary indexing means, means for swingingsaid movable indexing means upon disengagement, means for reengagingsaid indexing means following swinging thereof, and a movable contactmember between said cam means and one of said plates positioned by saidmovable indexing means and swung by said swinging means with a snapaction.

21. In an electric switch, a frame comprising co-operating operativelyconnected spaced plate members one having radially disposed stationaryindexing means, axially located pivot means in said frame, a movableindexing member pivoted on said pivot means and having movable indexingmeansco-operating with said stationary indexing means, cam means on saidmovable indexing member and pivoted on said pivot means and co-operatingto disengage said movable indexing means from said stationary indexingmeans, means for swinging said movable indexing means upondisengagement, means for reengaging said movable indexing meansfollowing swinging thereof, a movable contact member likewise betweensaid plates positioned by said movable indexing means and swung by saidswinging means with a snap action, and spaced external insulatingmembers enclosing said frame and connected thereto and carrying contactsengageable by said movable contact member and terminals on the outerfaces of said insulating members connected to said contacts.

22. In an electric switch, stationary and movable contacts including apivoted contact carrying member having an actuating spring, indexingmechanism including a stationary indexing member and a movable indexingmember having actuating cam means, a movable actuating member, andactuating mechanism for successively releasing said movable indexingmember and actuating said contact carrying member with a snap actionincluding cam means on said actuating member cooperating with the cammeans for said movable indexing member to release the latter and springtensioning means on said actuating member and tensioning the actuatingspring for said movable contact member.

23. In an electric switch, stationary and movable contacts including apivoted contact carrying member having an actuating spring, indexingmechanism including a stationary indexing member and a movable indexingmember having cam means thereon, a swinging actuating member, andactuating mechanism for successively releasing said movable indexingmember and actuating said contact carrying member with a snap actionincluding a cam on said actuating member cooperating with the cam meanson said movable indexing member to release the latter and a springtensioning arm also on said actuating member and tensioning theactuating spring for said movable contact member, said contact carryingmember, movable indexing member and actuating member being coaxiallydisposed and having a stationary pivot member extending therethrough.

24. In an electric switch, stationary and movable contacts including apivoted contact carrymember having an actuating spring, indexingechanism including a stationary indexing member and a movable indexingmember having cam means thereon, a swinging actuating member, andactuating mechanism for successively releasing said movable indexingmember and actuating said contact carrying member with a snap actionincluding a cam on said actuating member coopcrating with the cam meanson said movable indexing member to release the latter and a springtensioning arm also on said actuating member and tensioning theactuating spring for said movable contact member, said actuating memberand movable indexing member having cam means selectively engageable whensaid actuating member' is moved in opposite directions and saidactuating spring being tensioned in either direction of movement of saidactuating member.

25. In a switch, the combination with a plurality of fixed contacts, ofa movable contact member having a swivelled mounting comprising astationary member disposed substantially centrally of said frame, saidcontact member carrying peripheral contacts at opposite sides of itsaxis cooperating with said fixed contacts in different circuitestablishing relations in different angular positions of said member, apivoted operating member for said movable contact member swingable in aplane parallel to a plane in which the latter moves and having a manualactuating portion projecting from the frame at one side thereof, andmechanism cooperating with said operating member and said movablecontact member for imparting a snap action to the latter when saidoperating member is actuated, one of said movable contacts being at thatside of said contact member which is disposed toward the manualactuating portion of said operating member;

26. In a switch, the combination of a frame, a

commutator member having a swiveled mount to establish diii'erentcircuits, 9. pivoted operating member movable in a plane parallel to aplane in which said commutator member is movable and having a projectingmanually operable actuating portion, and means for actuating saidcommutator member from said operating member with a snap action, one ofsaid movable contacts being located on a side portion of the commutatormember which is disposed toward the actuating portion of said operatingmember.

27. In a switch, the combination with a frame, of a commutator member, afixed stud member on which said commutator member is swlvelledsubstantially centrally of said frame and substantially centrally ofsaid commutator member, said commutator member carrying peripheralcontacts including contacts at opposite sides of its axis, fixedcontacts cooperating with said commutator contacts and arranged atopposite sides of the axis of said'commutator member, a pivotedoperating member for said commutator member movable in a plane parallelto a plane in which said commutator member moves and having a projectingactuating portion at one side of the frame, one of the fixed contactsbeing located at that side of the frame which is disposed toward theactuating portion of said operating member, and means for imparting asnap action to said commutator member, including shifting meansconnected to said member at a point inside the orbit of said movablecontacts,

JOHANN G. PETERSON.

